European heavyweights Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to lock horns for the signing of Ajax starlet Ryan Gravenberch. The 19-year-old midfielder has become one of the hottest properties in Europe following a series of promising displays in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Many top sides have sounded their interest, including the aforesaid clubs, who are ready to enter a bidding war to secure his services. According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Los Blancos feel Gravenberch fits their bill perfectly.
Their current midfield triumvirate of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro is also aging, with all players well into their 30s. Madrid hope that young players like Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will replace them soon, with Gravenberch and Aurelien Tchouameni also likely to join them.
Barcelona are in the race just to improve their options in midfield. Sergio Busquets is not the same force he used to be and while they possess rising stars like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in their ranks, the Catalans lack quality in depth. The Dutchman's arrival is expected to help fix that problem.
Manchester City preparing for the future
Manchester City, meanwhile, are also looking towards the future as Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho are fast aging. While the first two are in their early 30s, the Brazilian will be 37 by the end of the current season and is unlikely to continue once his contract expires in June.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is also known to foster young talent, having also recently signed 22-year-old Julian Alvarez from Argentinian side River Plate.
But to remain competent in all their title efforts for the foreseeable future, Manchester City would need fresh legs and Gravenberch can hope to become the next superstar under Guardiola's tutelage.
Gravenberch joined Ajax's youth side in 2010 and worked his way up through junior levels before getting called up to the Ajax B side. Following two successful years, the midfielder finally managed to establish himself in the first-team during the 2020/21 season and hasn't looked back ever since.
Overall, Gravenberch has made 89 appearances for the side in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and making 11 assists, which is impressive given he operates from the center of the park.
With four titles under his belt, he has also been awarded a few individual honors, including Ajax Talent of the Year and Dutch Football Talent of the Year.
His talents didn't go unnoticed on the international stage either, with Gravenberech breaking into the Oranje squad and making 10 appearances throughout last year, scoring once.
ShubhankurSharma
1
Let madrid get gravenberch. City should target edson alvarez. He's superb, can play at no. 6 and 8,plus he's a city fan too.
hizblsyz
0
Something tells me that Madrid wants to own all the best Black Players. This club seeks the best no matter the colour and that is what football should be. Madrid is the pacesetter.
I can't decode 'the black player'... shameful
haaabcmosu
0
Something tells me that Madrid wants to own all the best Black Players. This club seeks the best no matter the colour and that is what football should be. Madrid is the pacesetter.
I’m genuinely wowed how you see “signing black players” as an achievement
mancsupporter
5
Bellingham is better
nuoclptuz
3
Something tells me that Madrid wants to own all the best Black Players. This club seeks the best no matter the colour and that is what football should be. Madrid is the pacesetter.
Zakciop
4
man city 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️🔥🔥🔥💯
Spiff 98
1
Ryan Gravenberch could be our new Seedorf. Imagine how good it will be a midfield composed of Gravenberch, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde and Blanco.
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right..even overall..defence and attack seem to be in good young hands..maybe a good rb..
vaecelmnpy
1
Antonio Blanco is a Barcelona player?
I thought You Meant His Younger Brother My Bad😁😁
Spiff 98
0
Blanco is Already in Barcelona What are you Saying?
Dude..blanco captains real castilla..madrid reserve team..new to football?
vDestiny8
7
We already have very exciting midfielders(Pedri, Gavi, and Nico)playing at the top level. Why go for another midfielder? Instead of focusing on our attacks and defence, we are talking about a position that is almost solid. Let’s not forget that even Frankie De Jong is even struggling to replicate his form in our midfield: That is to say it is evident that if you’re not a La Masia graduate, you’ll struggle to play in Barcelona midfield. Let this teenagers do the job!
wodabkns
1
everykid now is a wonder kid
MadridMaldives
0
Blanco is Already in Barcelona What are you Saying?
Antonio Blanco is a Barcelona player?
vaecelmnpy
0
People really think Barcelona don't have money to buy players but that is a mistake rather they don't have have space to register much players due to financial fair play. If they don't have money they can't compute with Man City and Real Madrid over players.
Not That Bro Barca Has A Bloated Wage Bill
vaecelmnpy
0
Ryan Gravenberch could be our new Seedorf. Imagine how good it will be a midfield composed of Gravenberch, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde and Blanco.
[image]
Blanco is Already in Barcelona What are you Saying?
MadridMaldives
5
Ryan Gravenberch could be our new Seedorf. Imagine how good it will be a midfield composed of Gravenberch, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde and Blanco.
Daeaeikpuz
0
People really think Barcelona don't have money to buy players but that is a mistake rather they don't have have space to register much players due to financial fair play. If they don't have money they can't compute with Man City and Real Madrid over players.
Do they? 😂😂😂
ludiknruz
6
People really think Barcelona don't have money to buy players but that is a mistake rather they don't have have space to register much players due to financial fair play. If they don't have money they can't compute with Man City and Real Madrid over players.